History | Smithsonian Magazine

Hidden Text Discovered Beneath Medieval Manuscript

Students at Rochester Institute of Technology used a self-developed UV imaging system to assess a 15th-century religious document

Ancient City of Hegra Makes Its Public Debut

The archaeological site, now open to tourists, offers clues about the mysterious empire that built it and its more famous sister city of Petra in Jordan

A History of Felines, as Narrated by a Cat

Baba the cat is both storyteller and photographic model in what is perhaps the most unique cat history book ever published

The Very Nuanced History of Giving

Throughout American history, philanthropy has involved the offering of time, money and moral concern to benefit others, but it carries a complicated legacy

How Lizzie Borden Became the Main Suspect in Her Family’s Murder

How did a god fearing church-goer like Lizzie Borden become a suspect in the gruesome crime of the century? Her inconsistent account, and an eerie nonchalance, immediately damaged her credibility with investigators

Hidden Text Discovered Beneath Medieval Manuscript — Hidden Text Discovered Beneath Medieval Manuscript

Students at Rochester Institute of Technology used a self-developed UV imaging system to assess a 15th-century religious document

Ancient City of Hegra Makes Its Public Debut — Ancient City of Hegra Makes Its Public Debut

The archaeological site, now open to tourists, offers clues about the mysterious empire that built it and its more famous sister city of Petra in Jordan

A History of Felines, as Narrated by a Cat — A History of Felines, as Narrated by a Cat

Baba the cat is both storyteller and photographic model in what is perhaps the most unique cat history book ever published

The Very Nuanced History of Giving — The Very Nuanced History of Giving

Throughout American history, philanthropy has involved the offering of time, money and moral concern to benefit others, but it carries a complicated legacy

How Lizzie Borden Became the Main Suspect in Her Family’s Murder — How Lizzie Borden Became the Main Suspect in Her Family’s Murder

How did a god fearing church-goer like Lizzie Borden become a suspect in the gruesome crime of the century? Her inconsistent account, and an eerie nonchalance, immediately damaged her credibility with investigators

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